Sports injuries: When to call the doctor

Treatment usually is rest from the activities that cause pain and ice to the sore area several times a day for 20 minutes.

See a doctor if the pain persists. Your doctor may suggest strengthening exercises and ways to modify your activities, such as straps that relieve stress on the tendons or braces. Over-the-counter or prescribed medications can reduce the inflammation and relieve pain. Other treatments are cortisone shots and surgery.

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Shoulder injuries

The shoulder is made up of three joints. The glenohumeral joint is a ball and socket joint linking the collarbone (clavicle) to the upper arm bone (humerus). The acromioclavicular joint joins the shoulder blade (scapula) to the clavicle. The third joint, scapulothoracic, joins the scapula to the back of the rib cage. The rotator cuff, four muscles that surround the shoulder, stabilize it. Tendons attach these muscles to bones. Bursa, or small fluid-filled sacs, decrease friction during shoulder movements.

The shoulder is the most flexible joint in the body. Because of this flexibility, it is vulnerable to injury. Most injuries to the shoulder are to the muscles and ligaments; seldom are bones injured. Shoulder injuries are common in sports that require overhead motion like swimming, tennis, pitching and weightlifting.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) suggests that you see a health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms after a shoulder injury:

Continuous pain

Stiff shoulder

Feeling as if your shoulder could pop out or slide out of the socket

Decrease in shoulder strength or movement so that you cannot carry on with daily activities

Treatment for most shoulder injuries is rest and ice several times a day for 20 minutes and over-the-counter or prescribed anti-inflammatory medications. If these don't work, your health care provider might suggest strengthening exercises.

See a doctor immediately if you cannot lift your arm or if the shoulder is very painful, swollen and discolored. Your shoulder may be dislocated.

Knee injuries

The knee joins the lower end of the thighbone (femur), the shinbone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella). It is the largest joint in the body and bears much of the body's weight. Large ligaments connect the bones and stabilize the joint. Cartilage (meniscus) forms a cushion between the bones and absorbs shock during motion.

Common athletic injuries to knees involve blows to the knee, and twisting, jumping, slowing down when running and changing directions. Most often, it is the ligaments of the knee that are injured. Sports in which knee injuries are common are basketball, skiing and those that require athletic shoes with cleats.

Symptoms that require medical attention after a knee injury:

Pain accompanied by swelling or redness

Deformed joint

Pain over the kneecap

Inability to stand (knee "buckles")

Difficulty walking or inability to walk

Knee "locks" and won't bend

Hearing a "pop" when the knee was injured

For minor pain, try RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Your health care provider might suggest over-the-counter or a prescribed anti-inflammatory medication. If this does not work, see your provider. Further treatment will depend on the cause of knee pain.

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